A Birthday Party For Jesus
Without an actual birthday for Jesus, we have no hope, no joy, and no reason to celebrate. Luke 2 beautifully lays out the events as they unfolded in history, but I think the Christmas story begins much earlier:
Genesis 1:1-2 & Colossians 1:16-20
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters… Col. 1:16 For in [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
We’ve spent the last 24 days of Advent looking at God’s master plan for the ages. The Old Testament prophecies pointed to Jesus, their fulfillment happened through Jesus, and their coming consummation will be accomplished by Jesus. He is the central and essential commonality in all of eternity past, present, and future. This makes the Christmas story that much more incredible. Even if He didn’t come, Jesus would still be worthy of unending honor, glory, and praise; but, because of His unfathomable love, He did:
Philippians 2:6-8
“[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!”
It’s easy to get caught up in the celebration of Christmas and take for granted the vastness and absurdity of what Christ actually did that day. He put aside His infinite place, power, and position of equality with God. Then, denying His rights, He became like humanity, so that through His death we might become like Him. A perfect God bore a broken humanity’s sins, so that a broken humanity could bear a perfect God’s righteousness. That deal is almost too good to be true. In fact, without Christmas (a.k.a. the advent of one who is fully God and fully man) it would be. That’s why the angel proclaimed to the shepherds:
Luke 2:10-11, 14
“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord… 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Consider for a minute what Christmas would look like if it wasn’t all about Jesus? What if it really came down to whether we were actually “naughty or nice” on our own account? One thing’s for sure, Santa wouldn’t need to be “making a list and checking it twice”:
Romans 3:10-12, 23
“‘There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one’… 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Every single one of us would get coal in our stockings (not to mention the justified, loving wrath of a holy God)! That’s why the news of CHRISTmas is so good. By coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying on the cross to pay for our sins, and rising again to overcome death, Jesus gave us the best, most undeserved gift of all:
1 Corinthians 15:57 & Romans 8:1-4
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”… Rom. 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.“
It’s okay to have a Christmas tree and give out gifts, but don’t miss out on the real story. Like every other day, December 25th is all about Jesus. And, what do we do in America on someone’s birthday? We throw them a party. So, get the whole family involved. Bake a cake together, make cards, or just sing Happy Birthday in worship. Talk about your gift giving as a reflection of the great gift we have in Christ. Read the Christmas story from Luke 2 or watch it read from the NIV and portrayed by the Lumo Project in the video section below. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure it follows the biblical command to:
Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“
Our family used this plan to celebrate Advent, and it was a wonderful experience. The highlight was when an international college student of mine, came over to our home a day early for our class party, which was planned for the following day. My extroverted 4-year-old was so excited to show her his coloring sheets from Advent! By showing her the coloring pages, I was able to explain to her that we are Christians, why we celebrate Christmas, and explain a short version of the Gospel! What an amazing way that God can use our children and our intentional focus on Him in our family to share the good news with others! Thank you so much for this resource!
Thank you. It’s encouraging to hear how God is using you and your children to share His great love and good news with the others.